Jesus, Prince of Peace

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? (Mark 4:37-40)

This passage of scripture paints a vivid picture of the two types of responses you can have when confronted by one of the inevitable storms of life.

On one hand you have the reaction of the disciples. Panic-stricken, fearful, full of doubt, convinced that they are all about to die.

On the other, you have Jesus. So completely calm and at rest that He's sleeping, even though the boat is tossing violently and filling up with water.

Why was Jesus at peace in the midst of an apparent crisis? He understood his covenant with God.

You see, in verse 35 Jesus had said, "Let's get in the boat and cross over to the other side of the lake." In effect, the word had been given. The Son of God had spoken. The disciples had a clear command from the Word made flesh. "Cross over to the other side."

Had they possessed any understanding of the covenant of peace they would have relaxed saying, "If Jesus said we're going over to the other side then we will surely make it."

That's why Jesus marveled at their unbelief. "How is it that ye have no faith?"

Many Christians make the same mistake the disciples did. A storm of life comes along and they start to panic.

A bad report from the doctor, a late notice from a bill collector or a rumor of layoffs at work. And suddenly we're crying, "Oh Jesus! Don't you care that we're perishing?!"

Instead of wallowing in all that fear and unbelief, you need to do what Jesus demonstrated. Yell "PEACE! BE STILL!"

No storm of life will ever harm you if you will hold on to your covenant of peace. Stand on the Word of God. Declare "By His stripes I am healed!" "My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!" "No weapon formed against me shall prosper!"

And remember, the covenant of peace is not yours because of your righteousness. It belongs to you as you abide in God's righteousness.

As a born-again child of God you not only have the righteousness of God, you are the righteousness of God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Cor. 5:21)

You see, there's no need to try to prove yourself right. Stay in the righteousness of God and all the security and rest that comes through the covenant of peace will be yours.

Confession

In the name of Jesus, I walk after God's righteousness and not my own righteousness. I will not perish because of ignorance or a lack of knowledge. Rather, I will study to show my self approved a workman who does not need to be ashamed. I rightly divide the Word of Truth.

My covenant partner, the Most High God, is my Defender. I will rejoice and be exceedingly glad because He has never lost a case.

I thank you, Father, for your covenant of peace. Because of it, I have security in the midst of the storm. Fear and frustration have no place in my life. Worry has no place in my thinking. I walk in the peace of God and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

I now receive the covenant of peace in Jesus' name. Amen.

World Changers MinistriesAll rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Creflo Dollar is the founder and senior pastor of World Changers Church International (WCCI) in College Park, Georgia; World Changers Church-New York; and a host of fellowship churches throughout the United States and internationally. WCCI also has offices in Australia (serving the Asia-Pacific region), South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and the Ukraine.Read more...

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